October Health – 2025 Report

Life changes in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, the leading cause of life changes stress at the population level is often linked to economic challenges, including unemployment, inflation, and inconsistent access to basic resources. These economic stressors affect various aspects of life, such as job security and financial stability, which are significant contributors to population-wide stress. In the workplace, these economic pressures can lead to increased employee anxiety and reduced productivity. Employers can support mental health by offering resources like digital group sessions or assessments through platforms like October to help employees manage stress related to economic uncertainty.

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Life changes Prevalence
22.94%
Affected people
12,617,000

Impact on the people of Zimbabwe

Effects of High Life Changes Stress on Health and Personal Lives

  • Physical Health: Increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, weakened immune system, headaches, and digestive issues.
  • Mental Health: Higher likelihood of anxiety, depression, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
  • Work Performance: Reduced concentration, lower productivity, increased absenteeism, and burnout.
  • Relationships: Strained personal relationships due to irritability, withdrawal, or communication difficulties.
  • Coping Ability: Decreased resilience, leading to poorer decision-making and potentially harmful coping mechanisms (e.g., substance use).

Workplace Suggestion:
Employers in Zimbabwe can use October’s digital group sessions and assessments to help employees manage stress from life changes, improving both wellbeing and productivity.

Impact on the Zimbabwe Economy

Effects of High Life Changes Stress on an Economy

  1. Reduced Productivity: High stress among workers leads to decreased concentration, higher absenteeism, and presenteeism, reducing overall output.

  2. Increased Healthcare Costs: Stress-related illnesses increase demand for medical services and employer healthcare spending.

  3. Higher Turnover Rates: Stressed employees are more likely to leave jobs, raising recruitment and training costs.

  4. Lower Consumer Confidence: Stress can reduce discretionary spending and economic participation.

  5. Workplace Mental Health Burden: Elevated stress may increase mental health issues, necessitating employer interventions like digital group sessions (e.g., October) to support employee well-being.

Implementing mental health support programs can help mitigate these economic impacts by improving employee resilience and productivity.

What can government do to assist? 

 Strategies for a Country to Lower Life Changes Stress

1. **Strengthen Social Support Systems**
   - Provide accessible mental health services.
   - Promote community engagement to reduce isolation.

2. **Enhance Job Security and Economic Stability**
   - Implement policies that reduce unemployment.
   - Support small businesses and entrepreneurship.

3. **Improve Public Education on Mental Health**
   - Launch national awareness campaigns.
   - Encourage employer-backed mental health initiatives.

4. **Facilitate Access to Healthcare**
   - Ensure affordable and quality healthcare services.
   - Integrate mental health screening in primary care.

5. **Promote Work-Life Balance in Workplaces**
   - Encourage flexible working hours.
   - Support employee mental health programs like digital group sessions (e.g., via platforms like October).

6. **Disaster and Crisis Management**
   - Establish rapid response services for population during crises.
   - Provide counseling and support after major societal upheavals.

These strategies help create a supportive environment reducing the stress caused by major life changes at the societal and workplace levels.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Communicate Clearly: Keep employees informed about upcoming changes early to reduce uncertainty.
  • Provide Support Resources: Offer access to counselling, mental health digital group sessions (like October), or employee assistance programs.
  • Facilitate Training: Equip employees with skills to adapt through workshops or training sessions.
  • Encourage Open Dialogue: Create spaces for employees to express concerns and feedback.
  • Promote Work-Life Balance: Allow flexible work arrangements to manage new personal demands.
  • Monitor Workload: Adjust expectations to prevent overwhelm during transition periods.